Queensland Premier Steven Miles says he received ‘abusive’ texts from Labor party elders

Queensland Premier Steven Miles is refusing to act on allegations a Labor powerbroker last year sent abusive texts to his predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk, saying he had also received the same sort of messages.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

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Queensland Premier Steven Miles is refusing to act on allegations a Labor powerbroker last year sent abusive texts to his predecessor, Annastacia Palaszczuk, saying he had also received the same sort of messages from party elders.

When asked whether an investigation should be launched into allegations about former Beattie government minister Robert Schwarten, Mr Miles said it was “a matter for the party”.

He said he had not spoken to Ms Palaszczuk about the texts from Mr Schwarten but he had also received abusive messages after becoming leader.

“What I can assure you of is that I too receive regular mess­ages from party elders – some of them constructive, some of them forceful – but very, very regularly,” he said. “They range from very, very constructive to sometimes abusive.”

On Monday, The Australian revealed that Ms Palaszczuk had complained to Labor figures about receiving late-night text messages she claimed were “abusive” from Mr Schwarten as he played a role in pushing the then Queensland premier to quit politics. Mr Schwarten has denied the allegations.

ALP state secretary Kate Flanders confirmed Ms Palaszczuk last year discussed Mr Schwarten’s texts with her and she had told the then-Queensland premier of her rights to make a formal complaint. “Annastacia Palaszczuk raised concerns about the conduct of Mr Schwarten last year,’’ she told The Australian.

“I explained the complaints policy within the party and how it is handled.”

Ms Palaszczuk has declined to comment and it is not known whether she made a formal complaint after leaving politics.

Ms Flanders said the complaints process was confidential and could not comment.

It is understood Ms Palaszczuk alleged the texts were intended to pressure her to quit, which she did on December 10.

Mr Schwarten was the MP for Rockhampton North and then Rockhampton for 23 years and remains an influential member of the Old Guard faction in the ALP.

Former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, left, with former Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow.

The small faction helped deliver critical support to Mr Miles in the caucus that led to his elevation as premier.

Former Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow, who was courted to run as a Labor MP several years ago, said she was “not surprised by the allegations against Mr Schwarten”.

“It is not at all a surprise,’’ she said. “I can’t remember getting texts, I tried to forget my dealings with him. But I remember getting some letters from him.”

Ms Strelow, who is going to stand for the seat of Rockhampton as an independent candidate at the October 26 state election, said “I put that stuff out of my mind”.

Senior Left faction minister Shannon Fentiman said politics needed to be more respectful. “I think being in public life can be tough enough with all of you fine people; perhaps we should all just be a bit more respectful to one another generally,’’ she said.

“I think that applies in the community more broadly as well. Especially coming out of Covid, I think there has been a heightened level of aggression generally in our communities.”

Multiple sources, all of whom declined to be named, described Ms Palaszczuk’s increasing distress about Mr Schwarten’s alleged behaviour.

A senior ALP source said she last year told party ­officials of the texts, describing them as “abusive”. “It was pretty full-on,’’ the source said. “She refused to engage with him.’’

Contacted by The Australian, Mr Schwarten said he rejected the notion he had sent “abusive” texts to Ms Palaszczuk and that she could have “blocked me”.

“She has never raised these ­issues with me,” he said.

“I’m certain if she had an issue with me, she would’ve not hesitated to take me to task and such is my respect for her, I would have accepted whatever it was she had to say.’’